Jam protection for a power-operated closing device

ABSTRACT

A trapping protector ( 1 ) for disposition about an opening in a vehicle body such as a sun roof includes a hollow profile ( 12 ) for a power-operated closing device ( 14 ) for closing the opening. Terminals ( 16 ) are provided at one end of the hollow profile ( 12 ) and a function-checking arrangement ( 28 ) is provided at the other end of the hollow profile ( 12 ). The two ends ( 23, 24 ) are brought close together and are axially aligned along a longitudinal centerline and the function-checking arrangement ( 28 ) as well as the terminals ( 16 ) are arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline ( 13 ) of the hollow profile ( 12 ) to thus achieve a trapping protector function along substantially the entire periphery of the opening.

The invention relates to a trapping protector for a power-operatedclosing device, more particularly for a motor vehicle sunroof, includingan elastomer hollow profile comprising electrical conductive portionsspaced away from each other whose contact triggers a switching action ofa drive assembly of the closing device, terminals for the electricalconductive portions being provided at one end of the hollow profile anda function-checking means being provided at the other end of the hollowprofile.

One such trapping protector is known from DE 197 20 713 C1 assigned tothe same applicant. Provided at one end of the hollow profile is a meansfor checking proper functioning of the trapping protector, thisfunction-checking means often being configured as a resistor. Providedat the other end of the hollow profile are terminals for connecting to ahost controller of the drive assembly for the closing device. Thisportion may be several centimeters long. With the known trappingprotector achieving a trapping protector function along the whole lengthis not possible.

The invention is thus based on the objective of providing a trappingprotector achieving a trapping protector function along the wholelength.

This objective is achieved in a trapping protector of the aforementionedkind in that the two ends are brought close together and thefunction-checking means as well as the terminals are arranged laterallyoffset from the longitudinal centerline of the hollow profile.

Laterally offsetting the function-checking means and the terminalsresults in these components being located alongside or below thetrapping protector so that the electrical conductive portions can bebrought closer together, thus substantially reducing the size of theportion in which no trapping protector function is provided. In actualpractice the width of this portion can be reduced to a few millimetersso that the portion as a rule is smaller than the objects trapped.Accordingly, in a trapping action precisely in the portion between thetwo ends either one of the two ends or both ends is/are deformed incommon to thus activate the trapping protector. This thus reliablyprovides the desired trapping protector function on all sides.

Advantageous aspects of the invention read from the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the terminals are arranged on the same side of thehollow profile as the function-checking means to thus achieve a compactdesign of the trapping protector in accordance with the invention whilstsimultaneously simplifying assembly.

In one advantageous aspect the two ends of the hollow profile aremechanically connected to each other and insulated from each otherelectrically. The mechanical connection of the two ends provides foradded strength and stability whilst the function of the hollow profileis not detrimented by the electrical insulation of the two ends fromeach other.

In accordance with one advantageous further embodiment a spacer isinserted between the two ends of the hollow profile, this spacerfacilitating connecting the two ends of the hollow profile mechanically.

Advantageously, the spacer comprises a hollow. This hollow facilitatesdeformation of the spacer so that the hollow profile in accordance withthe invention is already activated by light forces in the portion of theends connected to each other.

In another advantageous further embodiment the two ends and bonded toeach other or to the spacer by means of an electrically insulatingadhesive, more particularly a PE adhesive. This electrically insulatingadhesive permits a speedy and simple connection whilst providing thenecessary electrical insulation between the two ends.

In a further advantageous aspect the two ends to be connected to eachother are potted in plastics, this potting reliably sealing the two endsfrom the environment and preventing the ingress of moisture.

In yet another advantageous aspect the function-checking means and theterminals are surrounded by the potting of the ends. The two ends andthe function-checking means as well as the terminals may be potted allat the same time to thus simplify production, the function-checkingmeans and the terminals thereby being reliably protected from ingress ofmoisture.

The invention will now be detailed by way of example embodiments withreference to the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a trapping protectorincorporated in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a section viewof the magnified detail X taken from FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a section viewtake along the line 111-111 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a horizontalsection view through a corner joint between the two ends of the trappingprotector portion in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated schematically a roofaperture 10 including a roof opening 11. The roof opening 11 issurrounded by a trapping protector 1 on all sides comprising a hollowprofile 12. To close off the roof opening 11 a sunroof 14 is employed.The ends 23, 24 of the hollow profile 12 are connected to each otherpotted together by potting 25.

The end 23 is provided with terminals 16 connecting a drive assembly 15for powering the sunroof 14. The other end 24 is provided with a means28 for function-checking the trapping protector 1. The function-checkingmeans 28 is arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline13 of the hollow profile 12. The terminals 16 are arranged on the sameside as the function-checking means 28. The two ends 23, 24 are broughtclose together so that a trapping protector function is achieved on allsides of the roof aperture 10 along the whole length of the trappingprotector 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is illustrated more in detail theconnection between the ends 23, 24. The hollow profile 12 comprises twoelectrically conducting portions 17, 18 spaced away from each other by agap 19. Embedded in each portion 17, 18 is a metallic conductor 20, 21to reduce the contact resistance. The function-checking means 28 and theterminals 16 are joined to these conductors 20, 21. The hollow profile12 comprises furthermore a sheath 22 surrounding the electricallyconducting portions 17, 18. The sheath 22 is made of an electricallynonconductive material to thus insulate the two portions 17, 18 fromeach other and from the surroundings.

Inserted between the two ends 23, 24 is a spacer 26 incorporating ahollow 27. The dimensions of the hollow 27 correspond to those of thegap 19. The spacer 26 is made of an electrically insulating material.The ends 23, 24 are bonded to the spacer 26 and thus mechanicallyconnected to each other. Use is made of an electrically insulatingadhesive to ensure the necessary electrical insulation of the two ends23, 24 from each other.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated schematically how the end24 of the hollow profile 12 is provided with a function-checking means28. The conductors 20, 21 are brought out laterally from the hollowprofile 12, the function-checking means 28 thus being laterally offsetfrom the longitudinal centerline 13 of the hollow profile 12. At theother end 23 too the conductors 20, 21 are brought out laterally fromthe hollow profile 12 and connected to the terminals 16. The terminals16 are arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline 13.

To seal the connecting portion between the ends 23, 24 a potting 25 isprovided. The ends 23, 24 are trimmed in the connecting portion and thenbonded to the spacer 26. After connection of the function-checking means28 and terminals 16 to the conductors 20, 21, the potting 25 isinjection molded. The potting 25 surrounds the ends 23, 24, theterminals 16 and the function-checking means 28 to thus achieve goodinsulation against ingress of moisture.

The connecting portion between the ends 23, 24 is only a few millimeterswide, this width being substantially dictated by the thickness of thespacer 26. The width of any object trapped is, as a rule, more than thethickness of the spacer 26. Should an object become trapped one of thetwo or both ends 23, 24 is/are deformed in common to thus result in theelectrically conducting portions 17, 18 coming into contact with eachother and triggering a switching action which signals the drive assembly15 for powering the sunroof 14. In this arrangement the movement of thesunroof 14 is halted or reversed. Due to the hollow 27 in the spacer 26the hollow profile 12 is activated even by slight forces.

The potting 25 is configured flush with the sheath 22 of the hollowprofile 12 to thus achieve a uniform smooth surface throughout, pleasingin appearance.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated a horizontal sectionthrough a corner joint of the ends 23, 24. For a better overview theterminals 16 as well as the function-checking means 28 have been leftout of the illustration. It is to be noted also that like parts or likein function with those as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are identified by thesame reference numerals, reference being made to the discussion abovefor furthermore explanations and to prevent tedious repetition.

The connecting portion between the two ends 23, 24 may also be locatedin a comer as shown in FIG. 4, a joint being provided between the ends23, 24 in any case with a hollow profile 12 provided on all sides.Locating said joint in a comer streamlines the hollow profile 12 in theportions configured straight whilst simultaneously providing the desiredtrapping protector function in the connecting portion, too.

The trapping protector 1 in accordance with the invention achieves atrapping protector function on all sides at low production and assemblyexpense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trapping protector for a power-operated closingdevice, including an elastomer hollow profile comprising electricallyconductive portions spaced away from each other whose contact triggers aswitching action of a drive assembly of said device, terminals for saidelectrical conductive portions being provided at one end of said hollowprofile and a function-checking means being provided at an opposite endof said hollow profile, in which said two ends are brought closetogether so as to lie one adjacent the other along a longitudinalcenterline of said hollow profile and said function-checking means aswell as said terminals are arranged laterally offset from saidlongitudinal centerline of said hollow profile.
 2. The trappingprotector as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said terminals(16) are arranged on the same side of said hollow profile (12) as saidfunction-checking means (28).
 3. The trapping protector as set forth inclaim 1 or 2, characterized in that said two ends (23, 24) of saidhollow profile (12) are mechanically connected to each other andinsulated from each other electrically.
 4. The trapping protector as setforth in claim 3, characterized in that a spacer (26) is insertedbetween said two ends (23, 24) of said hollow profile (12).
 5. Thetrapping protector as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that saidspacer (26) is made of an electrical insulation material.
 6. Thetrapping protector as set forth in claim 4 or 5, characterized in thatsaid spacer (26) comprises a hollow (27).
 7. The trapping protector asset forth in any of the claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said twoends (23, 24) are bonded to each other or to said spacer (26) by meansof an electrically insulating adhesive, more particularly a PE adhesive.8. The trapping protector as set forth in any of the claims 3 to 7,characterized in that said two ends (23, 24) to be connected to eachother are potted (25) in plastics.
 9. The trapping protector as setforth in claim 8, characterized in that said function-checking means(28) and said terminals (16) are surrounded by said potting (25) of saidends (23, 24).
 10. The trapping protector as set forth in claim 1 inwhich said function-checking means is a resistor.
 11. A trappingprotector for a power-operated closing device comprising: a) anelongated elastomer hollow profile having opposite ends, the hollowprofile extending around the periphery of an opening to be closed by thepower-operated device such that the opposite ends of the hollow profileare disposed one adjacent the other and are axially aligned along alongitudinal centerline of said hollow profile; b) electricallyconductive portions on said hollow profile spaced away from each otherwhose contact along the length of the profile triggers a switchingaction of a drive assembly of said power-operated closing device; c)terminals for said electrical conductive portions provided at one ofsaid opposite ends of said hollow profile; d) a function-checking meansprovided at the other of said opposite ends of said hollow profile suchthat said terminals and function-checking means are brought closetogether; and e) said function-checking means as well as said terminalsare arranged laterally offset from said longitudinal centerline of saidhollow profile.